Jim and Felicia Matto-Shepard are licensed psychotherapists in the San Francisco Bay area. They offer retreats, groups and workshops for couples, which incorporate state-of-the-art psychology with historically grounded practices.
"Jim and Felecia have tremendous skill, wisdom, passion, and sensitivity in their work with couples. They embody a commitment to balancing the pleasure of passionate embrace with the work of intimacy building. They have developed a powerfully effective approach to relationship development." Michael Klein, Ph.D. Clinical psychologist and adjunct professor, California Institute of Integral Studies.
• "Great weekend. Safe, sexy and solutions that really work." R.K.
• "How fun to have the time and space to explore our sexuality in such a deep way" M.J.
• "My life partner and I are mature individuals and experienced in
transformational processes. She and I are in a long term
relationship and just completed the 'Afer The Honeymoon'
workshop and found it be a marvelous and relational altering
experience.
What proved most profound was the integrity and
skillfulness of the facilitators, Jim and Felicia. Their use of their
own relationship to punctuate the various elements in producing
a deep, meaningful, intimate connection between us and shift in
the manner of our interaction was informative and profound. I
found their use of form and content to be authentic and
genuinely human in conception and delivery. I recommend this
workshop for all psychotherapists working with couples and for
the couples that go to them for help."
MM 11/11
• "Our experience with Jim and Felicia was terrific. They definitely 'walk
their talk' as someone in our group said, and they are great teachers. I
came back feeling completely changed about my relationship. I started
to understand that my thoughts that 'perhaps we are not right for one
another' affects most couples when the honeymoon fades and the real
work begins. I also saw how a little hard work brought me into such a
sweet place with my partner again. We haven't stopped touching one
another since we got back and are flirting with one another a lot more. It
feels great."
DM 11/11
• "Felicia and Jim have the rare ability to create a workshop space that is both safe and playful. This allowed us to explore and reawaken aspects of our love for each other that had too long been neglected. Our weekend with them had a profound and lasting impact on our relationship." L & N
• "We didn't think our sex life could be any better. Jim and Felicia's workshop showed us how wrong we were." B & M.
• "We want to take a moment and thank you for the beautiful weekend we spent with you at our "work"-shop. You're an amazing couple who illustrated the possibilities of perfection through your own union. How specially you are committed to each other, creating an impenetrable atmosphere of safety for one another. It was easy for us as to similarly enjoy this haven of safety as we modeled the behaviors you demonstrated.
You cared for us effortlessly and the venue was hugely romantic. I particularly appreciate the rainy day weather you ordered for us,making the cabin we shared as a group a cozy safe haven.
You provided a solid Tool Box for Intimacy. We feel blessed to have met you and thank you for helping us continue the honeymoon we have shared for nearly 30 years (child bride).
Thank you again. We hope our paths will cross again. Would love to experience the Contact Improv. You guys rock." Best,
P & C
• "Thank you again - this was an amazing weekend - we still talk about how moving it was. We continue to work at our relationship, but feel we have a good foundation and tool set to improve our intimacy. We loved how the two of you inspired all of us and had truly soulful way about you.
Please keep us on the distribution list for any newsletter type of communications as well as future engagements; would like to keep a connection.
Have a great weekend -
Leaving work to get home and prepare for our 'date'." All the best
S & J
The following quotes were written anonymously in workshop evaluations:
• "Thank you. This workshop far exceeded my expectations. My husband and I worked through something that has been plaguing us for years. How valuable is that?"
• "The way you organized the workshop was excellent. After looking into our own hearts you guided us in very simple communication exercises that brought us together. From there we were able to start really getting juicy!"
• "We came to your workshop thinking we were going to get a few tips about how to spice up our sex life. What we received was far greater. We discovered that there were ways that we have not been completely honest with each other and that we couldn't really begin to heal our sexual relationship until we faced the truth."
• "I loved the way you wove in teaching with exercises."
• "The whole thing was great. From the way you set the atmosphere, to the gentle way you guided us together. Thanks."
• "For me, one of the best parts of this seminar was seeing Jim and Felicia work together. the content and exercises were great, but, I saw something modeled that I don't know if I ever saw before."
• "Thank you once again for a wonderful weekend workshop. (My husband) and I have been in counseling for years. We've worked very hard and accomplished good things in terms of our mutual growth and understanding. But before your workshop we hadn't been able to add any fun and vitality to our sexual relationship. Your workshop has helped us turn a corner.
I have in the past objected so to "sex dates." But you helped me to see what would be needed to make them sexy. We've been having our weekly ritual with great success. We have even found out that we can have sex outside the sex date! And we've brought many new adventures to our times together.
Alongside all this positive change we've even engaged in some pretty loaded conflict. It has been gratifying to find out that we can negotiate the conflict and still have a sexual relationship."
• "Thank you for last weekend. Words alone cannot do justice to explain what my heart is feeling, what I've taken home with me from this experience.
I was very nervous, and also excited when I walked into the room Saturday morning. I didn't know what to expect. Answering your questions via email prior to the weekend was difficult. Opening up and telling complete strangers the most personal and intimate details of my marriage was tough for me. I felt very vulnerable. But I decided in order to get the most out of the weekend, I needed to let go and just do it. As you could see from how much I talked during class, I am very reserved.
Felicia and Jim, I want you to know I feel honored and so very blessed to have been able to participate with my husband in such a beautiful event. To spend a weekend in a room full of other married couples all intimately working towards the best relationship possible with their mates. I've never experienced something so sacred and precious before.
Witnessing the two of you interact, and the love you have for one another was also amazing. I remember during the hand exercise, I glanced up and noticed the two of you melding together in a fluid, almost ritualistic dance. It's an image I will never forget.
(My husband) and I came together and connected in a way I've longed for my entire marriage. A very deep healing has begun between the two of us. It feels like we were on a second honeymoon.
Thank you again. My life and my marriage is forever changed."
• "Jim and Felicia Matto-Shepard are fearless, compassionate, and creative experts in helping couples reawaken the sensuality and excitement that often becomes elusive after the first months or years of a relationship. Having experienced many couples trainings and workshops with my own husband, and having known Jim and Felicia's relationship and work for many years, I am very excited to see them bring this work to a wider audience. I recommend the Matto-Shepard's retreats and workshops above all others." Barbara Easterlin, Ph.D. Clinical psychologist and associate professor, University of California at San Francisco.
